JASPER VAN LEEUWEN

Expertise:

Experience:

In his role as Manager Youth Scouting at AFC Ajax Amsterdam, Jasper professionalised and reformed the youth scouting system, integrating both external and internal scouting processes into the academy system.

His more pro-active scouting vision was an addition to the Plan Cruyff and is modelled on its innovative philosophy. In addition, Jasper set up a programme to expand and strengthen the cooperation between Ajax and its partner amateur clubs (grassroots football). The intention of this initiative was to share knowledge, guarantee recruitment quality in the long term and live up to Ajax’s responsibility towards its feeder clubs and the overall grassroots ecosystem.

Furthermore, Jasper co-initiated and managed the roll-out of the Plan Cruyff agenda to improve Dutch youth football, by promoting the revival of street soccer (principles) and introducing the “Twin Games” concept as a solution for the youngest age groups to play on much smaller pitches. Initially a pilot project in Amsterdam, this concept has quickly spread across the Netherlands. After two years of pilot competitions, restricted to Dutch professional clubs, the concept has now been officially adopted by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) as an integral part of its Master Plan to reform Dutch (youth) football. Starting in the 2017-2018 season, all Dutch players aged 6 to 12 will play on significantly smaller pitches, including at grassroots level.

Prior to his work at Ajax, Jasper co-founded, initiated and managed a number of (international) projects with a focus on high potential youth participation, intercultural dialogue and student entrepreneurship. He holds a degree in Master in Business Administration (MScBA) from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.